FAQs

Basic Instructions

Within Final Cut Pro X, select a project and choose ""Export XML..."" from the ""File"" menu in the menu bar. This will generate an fcpxml file that can be used by X2Pro.

If the project contains any auditions, then these must be finalized within Final Cut Pro X before the project is exported.

Selecting Final Cut XML in X2Pro

Import the Final Cut XML into X2Pro either by browsing using the source "Browse..." button on the application window, or by dragging the Final Cut XML file onto the source section. When a new file is selected, a summary of the project will be displayed beneath the Final Cut XML file name. In addition, the source file name will be used to generate a default destination AAF filename.

The destination folder is chosen via the "Browse..." button in the destination section. It is not possible to change the name of the destination AAF; the file name of the source fcpxml is used for the aaf.

Roles

You can define which roles in Final Cut Pro X projects are mapped onto tracks in the AAF and in which order by clicking the Roles button (this feature is not available in the LE version).

Performing the conversion

Once the Final Cut XML file has been chosen and you are happy with the destination and settings, press the "Start" button to begin the conversion. X2Pro will check to see that it has permission to access all of the clips. If any are inaccessible, you will be invited to add folders to the Media Locations list in the preferences (see this article for more information on Media Locations). When the conversion starts, a panel will appear that shows the current status of the conversion along with a progress bar. Depending upon the length of the project and the length of the audio clips referenced by the project, this can take some time. The conversion can be cancelled at any time using the "Cancel" button on the progress panel.

Creating a video track in Pro Tools

Within Pro Tools

Open the AAF file as a session in Pro Tools as normal then import the QuickTime movie into Pro Tools using the File -> Import -> Video menu item.

Explanation

X2Pro is an audio conversion utility and as such it ignores any video references in the Final Cut XML file. However, by following some simple steps, it is easy to transfer a fully rendered video track into Pro Tools

Within Final Cut Pro X / X2Pro Audio Convert

Export the Final Cut XML for the project as normal and process through X2Pro Audio Convert. In Final Cut Pro X, export a video only QuickTime file for the same project, using the Export Media option on the Share menu (or Cmd+E). Using a video codec of H.264 works well.

DAW Support

Avid Pro Tools

Converting projects from FCP X to Avid Pro Tools is the only officially supported workflow.

Avid Pro Tools v7.0 or later, requires AAF import. The LE versions are not supported as they do not support AAF import. Note that Avid Pro Tools does not support referencing multi-channel WAV files.

Other DAWs

While opening X2Pro's AAFs in Pro Tools is the only officially supported workflow, customers have reported success when importing X2Pro generated AAFs into:

Apple Logic Pro X

Steinberg Nuendo

Merging Technologies Pyramix

Note that Merging Pyramix does support referencing multi-channel WAV files.

A conformed clip is one that FCP X has automatically retimed because the frame rate of the clips was very close the the frame rate of the project. For example when a 23.98fps clip is used in a 25fps project, FCP X will play the clip at just over 104% speed. FCP X does not alert the user when it conforms clips.

X2Pro doesn't support retiming or conforming, and clips will be at the original speed in the AAF. This is likely to cause a sync issue, so if any clips were retimed/conformed, the conversion report will list each one and the time code that it appears in the project so that the audio finisher knows what to look for when they open the AAF.

What does "Failed to open bookmark for asset" mean?

The error message "Failed to open bookmark for asset" indicates that the media locations have been invalidated since they were added, or that a "bookmark" in the fcpxml has been invalidated since it was created.Try removing all media locations in the X2Pro preferences and re-exporting the project from FCP X.

X2Pro reports an error/warning… What do I do?

Warnings indicate that some part of the project information was not translated but that an AAF has been created which accurately reflects the timeline.

Errors indicate that the project contains features which could not be translated and no AAF has been created.

You can copy/paste the text from the error/warning window to help you refine the FCP X project to better translate, or to hand over to audio finishing for their information.

How do I submit a bug report?

We are keen to improve X2Pro, so if you find a problem, please get in touch on the forum. Make sure to read the forum rules before posting as following the rules will speed up any investigation.

How do I submit a feature suggestion?

We would love to hear about your suggestions for new features in X2Pro, please submit your suggestion on the X2Pro forum.

Is video media supported in X2Pro?

Only audio media is translated, video media is ignored. We recommend rendering an off-line or proxy version of the flattened video and exporting that if a reference is needed within Pro Tools.

Which audio formats are supported?

Audio media can be any QuickTime 7 supported audio, non-PCM audio is converted to PCM at either 16 or 24 bit (set in the preferences).

Some media that is supported by FCP X is not supported by QuickTime 7, for example AC-3 audio that is recorded on some camcorders. Any audio that is no supported by Quicktime 7 will not supported in X2Pro.

How are Timemapped clips handled?

X2Pro will create a space in the timeline which is the length of the timemapped clip (i.e. if the used part of the clip is one minute long and is slowed down by 50% there will be a 2 minute gap). X2Pro will put the original audio media at the start of this gap, with the in point aligned with the start of the gap. X2Pro will not translate the timemapping (i.e. it will not stretch or squash the media).

Why do clips sometimes not have the correct name in the AAF?

If you rename media in FCP X that name will be reflected in ProTools. However, if you use that media multiple times and rename it each time, then only one name can be used as there is only one piece of actual media.

How does X2Pro handle multi-cam clips?

X2Pro will only include the angles used in the project.

Why does X2Pro use my original clips not my optimised ones?

The FCPXML only points to the Original Media, either within the event folder if it has been copied on import, or in the original location if it has not.

Why are sub-roles are not put in the AAF in the order that I choose?

If you have sub-roles and you use the Role order window to separate the sub-role from the root Role name, both will be placed at the position of the first mention of the role.

For example if you have:

music

effects

music.Source

dialog

Or:

music.Source

dialog

music

effects

All the music roles will appear on the first tracks in Pro Tools.

Why is the first control point for audio gain incorrect in Pro Tools?

This is a bug in the way ProTools interprets the AAF and cannot be fixed in X2Pro. Other DAWs do not suffer from this problem with the same AAF file.

Does X2Pro support Media Composer?

No, Media Composer is not officially supported by X2Pro and the AAF files that X2Pro produces may not be correctly interpreted by Media Composer.

Which metadata view should I choose when exporting from FCP X?

It doesn't really matter; X2Pro will ignore any metadata that is affected by this option. "None" is the best choice because it will create the smallest fcpxml file.

Why are FCP X transition and fade types not preserved?

X2Pro will create a single AAF file that contains your project information as well as either all of the audio used by the project or references to the audio. Audio clips can be copied whole into the AAF file or trimmed with handles, giving maximum flexibility (the trimming/handles is feature is not available in X2ProLE).

X2Pro will split any multi-channel audio files into separate channels in the AAF file, for example, when a stereo music track is used on your Final Cut project, the left and right channels will appear on two separate tracks in Pro Tools.

Laying out the tracks

Final Cut Pro X uses the magnetic timeline in order to layout a project, while within AAF a composition is constructed from a number of fixed tracks. In AAF, each track is a single (mono) channel of audio. The first thing that X2Pro does is to group and sort everything by its role within the Final Cut Pro X project. This results in tracks in the AAF file also being grouped by role, typically dialogue first, then effects and music. There are options for the user to be able to create their own role order, ignore some roles entirely, and to ignore subroles when laying out the tracks so that all the subroles of one role will be packed onto as few tracks as possible (this feature is not available in X2ProLE).

Within each role, X2Pro analyses the Final Cut project and places the clips on tracks in a logical fashion, usually creating several tracks in the AAF file from each role. Final Cut Pro project components will be rearranged during the conversion process:

Multi-channel clips will be split into separate mono components, each placed on a separate track;

Clips that overlap (for example J/L Cuts) will be put on between different tracks;

Composite clips will be separated into their component clips;

Multicam clips will be reduced to the selected angle;

In these cases, where necessary, extra tracks are created in the AAF file, so the AAF file will often contain many more tracks than the Final Cut Pro X project appeared to have. Each track will contain clips from just one role and will be named accordingly, for example ""A24 (effects)"".

Whole clip volume adjustments will be converted to Clip Gain within Pro Tools;

Key-framed volume adjustments will be converted to key-frames on the Volume Adjustment Lane within Pro Tools;

All transitions are converted to linear cross-fades;

All fade handles are converted to key-framed volume adjustments as a linear fade.

Markers

Markers and To Do notes are translated into Markers in Avid Pro Tools. Markers, To Do, and completed To Do, are colour coded differently, this enables the Pro Tools user to select which are imported. Markers in FCP X are attached to clips, whereas in Pro Tools they are attached to tracks. This can mean that markers are lost in translation if they are attached to a video clip for which there is no audio at that point in time (such as in “L” and “J” cuts). If there is another piece of audio at this point in time, the marker may be attached to that clip, but would then end up on a different track in Pro Tools.

How it Works

What X2Pro puts into the AAF file

Within Final Cut Pro X, select a project and choose ""Export XML..."" from the ""File"" menu in the menu bar. This will generate an fcpxml file that can be used by X2Pro.If the project contains any auditions, then these must be finalized within Final Cut Pro X before the project is exported.

Laying out the tracks

Final Cut Pro X uses the magnetic timeline in order to layout a project, while within AAF a composition is constructed from a number of fixed tracks. In AAF, each track is a single (mono) channel of audio. The first thing that X2Pro does is to group and sort everything by its role within the Final Cut Pro X project. This results in tracks in the AAF file also being grouped by role, typically dialogue first, then effects and music. There are options for the user to be able to create their own role order, ignore some roles entirely, and to ignore subroles when laying out the tracks so that all the subroles of one role will be packed onto as few tracks as possible (this feature is not available in X2ProLE).

Within each role, X2Pro analyses the Final Cut project and places the clips on tracks in a logical fashion, usually creating several tracks in the AAF file from each role. Final Cut Pro project components will be rearranged during the conversion process:

Multi-channel clips will be split into separate mono components, each placed on a separate track;

Clips that overlap (for example J/L Cuts) will be put on between different tracks;

Composite clips will be separated into their component clips;

Multicam clips will be reduced to the selected angle;

In these cases, where necessary, extra tracks are created in the AAF file, so the AAF file will often contain many more tracks than the Final Cut Pro X project appeared to have. Each track will contain clips from just one role and will be named accordingly, for example ""A24 (effects)"".

Whole clip volume adjustments will be converted to Clip Gain within Pro Tools;

Key-framed volume adjustments will be converted to key-frames on the Volume Adjustment Lane within Pro Tools;

All transitions are converted to linear cross-fades;

All fade handles are converted to key-framed volume adjustments as a linear fade.

Markers

Markers and To Do notes are translated into Markers in Avid Pro Tools. Markers, To Do, and completed To Do, are colour coded differently, this enables the Pro Tools user to select which are imported. Markers in FCP X are attached to clips, whereas in Pro Tools they are attached to tracks. This can mean that markers are lost in translation if they are attached to a video clip for which there is no audio at that point in time (such as in “L” and “J” cuts). If there is another piece of audio at this point in time, the marker may be attached to that clip, but would then end up on a different track in Pro Tools.

Mapping Roles to Tracks

Roles

This allows you to choose which Roles are included in the AAF file and the order in which the tracks are created. By default Roles are sorted alphabetically and then by their sub-roles. This feature is not available in X2ProLE

Excluding Roles

Simply untick any roles that you do not want to appear in the final AAF file.

Changing the order of roles

You can change the order of the Roles by selecting one and then moving it up and down with the arrows. If Sub-Role merging is selected in preferences, then Roles and Sub-Roles will be merged at the first occurrence in the list.

Preferences

You can further refine the use of sub-roles in creating tracks by choosing whether to merge sub-roles when packing Roles into Tracks. This setting can be changed from the X2Pro preferences window and is not available in X2ProLE

Preferences

Preferences Window

The preferences window can be accessed from the X2Pro Audio Convert menu bar or with the Cmd+"," (comma) shortcut.

Discard Transitions

This option, if selected, removes all audio transitions from the final AAF. This can be useful if the audio engineer would prefer to start with only the media and its location in the timeline.

Discard disabled clips

This option, if selected, makes X2Pro exclude disabled audio clips/tracks from the AAF. The audio from the disabled clips will not be embedded, and the clips will not appear in the sequence timeline.

Convert non-PCM audio

All PCM audio that is inserted into the AAF is not resampled and maintains its original bit-depth. Non-PCM audio (such as AAC or MP3 files) must be converted to PCM, this option allows you to choose the bit depth it is converted to; either 16 bit or 24 bit.

Trim Handles

When X2Pro embeds audio media into the AAF it can be trimmed (this feature is not available in X2ProLE). This option is available under the Settings section of the main window. This preference allows you to define, in seconds, the length of the handles added to the beginning and end of each clip. The default value is 2 seconds.

Reference multi-channel WAV files

A multi-channel WAV file is a single WAV file that contains more than one audio channel.

Only select this option if you know that your DAW can accept multi-channel WAV files referenced from an AAF file. Pro Tools, for example, cannot handle referenced multi-channel WAV files.

Handling media that can't be referenced

You can choose whether to embed media that cannot be referenced, or generate an error and not create an AAF file. If you do not want any media to be embedded, choose Generate an error, transcode any media which generates an error, then try the conversion again. If you choose to embed media that cannot be referenced then that media will be subject to the trimming settings (if X2Pro is set to trim embedded audio).

Roles

As the AAF file is created, Roles are sorted by their name, and then packed into tracks. All the clips with the same role name are packed into as few tracks as possible. This option allows you to choose whether sub-roles of a role are kept separate from each other, or whether they are packed into tracks together. For example, you might have roles called "Music", "Music.A1" and "Music.A2". If you select Keep sub-roles separate, at least 3 tracks will be created and, clips with roles of "Music" and "Music.A1" will never share a track. If you choose to merge sub-roles into parent then it will be possible clips with roles of "Music" and "Music.A1" to share a track. Merge sub-roles into parent will tend to create a denser track layout, whereas Keep sub-roles separate will ensure that each track only ever contains audio clips from one sub-role. You can change what Roles are included in the AAF and their order from the Roles window accessible from the main window (unless you have the LE version).

Media Locations

You can add a new location to the Media Locations list by pressing the ""+"" button, then navigating to a folder that contains media and clicking the Select Folder button. If you have a standard installation it would be wise to start by adding ""/Users/MyName/Movies"" to the list. You can remove a location from the Media Locations list by highlighting it and then pressing the ""-"" button.

You can check a particular FCP XML to see if it refers to any media outside the current Media Locations list by pressing Verify against FCP XML and selecting the file.

Inaccessible Locations

Any locations that contain media used by a project that are not listed in Media Locations will appear in the list of Inaccessible Locations. Add new locations until there are no more listed and you will see a message at the bottom of the list that says ""All media locations are accessible."" You can add folders as Media Locations that are ""higher"" up the folder hierarchy than those listed. For example you could include your home directory rather than your movies directory and then you would not need to add another location if you have media files on your desktop.

Pro Tools

How can I predict which tracks in Pro Tools X2Pro will put the audio on?

FCP X does not have an analogous concept to tracks in a Pro Tools timeline, so a converted project will look different in Pro Tools compared with FCP X. X2Pro uses the names of clip roles to sort the media. In the Pro version of X2Pro you can control which roles are added to the AAF and what their order is.

X2Pro gives a clear warning when it comes across elements of a sequence which it does not currently translate such as panning, timemaps and effects. Auditions must be finalized first before exporting the XML to X2Pro.

No media appears in Pro Tools, or the timeline does not contain all the media expected.

Try loading the FCP XML back into Final Cut Pro X and ensure that the timeline and media is the same as in the original project. If it is not, then FCP has not exported sufficient information for X2Pro to be able to recreate the project in an AAF.

Settings

You can choose to embed or reference audio media in the AAF that X2Pro creates (this feature is not available in the LE version). Please note:

Referenced media can only be WAV media, any other media must be embedded and will be converted to PCM if required.

There is a setting to control behaviour with multi-channel files and another for non-wav files in the Media Handling section of the preferences window.

Referenced media must be manually relinked by file name within Pro Tools.

You can choose to trim embedded audio when X2Pro embeds it in the AAF that X2Pro creates (this feature is not available in the LE version). You can define the length of these handles in the Media Handling section of the preferences window.

Further settings are available in the Preferences window which you can access through the the X2Pro Audio Convert menu bar or with the Cmd+"","" (comma) shortcut.